OUR VIEW: Area reaps ATRIP awards

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 4:34 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 4:35 p.m.

Local governments got a needed assist this week when the state approved a new round of funds for bridge and road improvements. Three Etowah County projects were included in latest Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program awards, along with several in Marshall, DeKalb and Cherokee counties. Statewide, $397.78 million worth of improvements were authorized.

ATRIP uses the promise of future federal dollars to issue bonds to meet immediate needs. State officials say low interest rates on municipal bonds make using GARVEE bonds a financially sound move. GARVEE is the term used to describe the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles Bond Program.

The ATRIP funds for Etowah County target three bridges that can’t handle heavy loads, meaning school buses can’t use them. One in particular, over Locust Fork, requires a lengthy detour. The state will contribute $1.44 million toward the work, and the county will have to pay $360,000.

The others don’t force people to go as far out of their way but still create problems. Hokes Bluff has been working toward a new bridge on Caddell Circle for 10 years, and the ATRIP funds finally will make a replacement possible. The city will pay $229,276, while the state will put in $445,405.

Gadsden was looking at a new bridge on Tuscaloosa Avenue over Black Creek anyway, but the ATRIP funds will make the $750,000 project doable sooner, and the city’s portion will be only $150,000.

GARVEE funds, and by default ATRIP monies, are touted as economic generators, and that’s always politically popular, but in these instances (and most of the ones across the state), safety was of more concern than economic or political expedience.

With state finances stretched to the breaking point, and lawmakers determined not to raise taxes, the options available to local governments for infrastructure maintenance are limited, to say the least.

It’s easy to see why local governments are pleased to see their projects included in the ATRIP monies. Crumbling roads and unsafe bridges might not get fixed otherwise.

<p>Local governments got a needed assist this week when the state approved a new round of funds for bridge and road improvements. Three Etowah County projects were included in latest Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program awards, along with several in Marshall, DeKalb and Cherokee counties. Statewide, $397.78 million worth of improvements were authorized. </p><p>ATRIP uses the promise of future federal dollars to issue bonds to meet immediate needs. State officials say low interest rates on municipal bonds make using GARVEE bonds a financially sound move. GARVEE is the term used to describe the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles Bond Program.</p><p>The ATRIP funds for Etowah County target three bridges that can't handle heavy loads, meaning school buses can't use them. One in particular, over Locust Fork, requires a lengthy detour. The state will contribute $1.44 million toward the work, and the county will have to pay $360,000.</p><p>The others don't force people to go as far out of their way but still create problems. Hokes Bluff has been working toward a new bridge on Caddell Circle for 10 years, and the ATRIP funds finally will make a replacement possible. The city will pay $229,276, while the state will put in $445,405.</p><p>Gadsden was looking at a new bridge on Tuscaloosa Avenue over Black Creek anyway, but the ATRIP funds will make the $750,000 project doable sooner, and the city's portion will be only $150,000.</p><p>GARVEE funds, and by default ATRIP monies, are touted as economic generators, and that's always politically popular, but in these instances (and most of the ones across the state), safety was of more concern than economic or political expedience.</p><p>With state finances stretched to the breaking point, and lawmakers determined not to raise taxes, the options available to local governments for infrastructure maintenance are limited, to say the least.</p><p>It's easy to see why local governments are pleased to see their projects included in the ATRIP monies. Crumbling roads and unsafe bridges might not get fixed otherwise.</p>